Fruit-grader



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) l

W. BROWN. FRUIT GRADBR.

Patented Feb. 16,1897.

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(No Model.) f 2 Sets-Sheet 2. W. BROWN.

. FRUlT GRADBR. y

No. 577,353. Patented Feb. 16, 1897.

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.tain novel constructions and combinations of Nrrnn *STATES ATENT- anion,

FRUIT-GRADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,353, dated February 16, 1897.

Application filed January 8, 1896.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that LWILLIs BROWN, of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fruit-Graders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved fruit-grader intended especially for use in grading dried prunes; and the invention consists in cerparts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side View, and Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section, of a machine constructed according to my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views, and Fig. 5 is an end elevation.

In carrying out my invention I provide a suitable frame having uprights A, longitudinal bars B, and cross-bars O, framed or secured together in any desired manner. In this frame I support the grading-frames D, E, and F, held together by straps G and suspended by the links H, which connect the upper frame D with the main supporting-frame. The said frames D, E, and F are alike except that the meshes of the screens are different, each screen having a smaller mesh than the preceding one.

Each grading-frame has a bottom Z, which delivers to the upper end of the next lower frame, and above such bottoms I support the sieves D', E', and F', which are capable of a vertical movement within their respective frames and are formed of woven wire. The upper screen delivers at its discharge end to a chute or spout H', which delivers over the discharge end of lower screen. Manifestly the grading-frames may be increased or decreased without departing from my inven-A tion, and I do not desire to be limited to any particular number of such frames.

To jolt the screens, I provide on opposite sides of the machine side frames held to and sliding vertically along the grading-frames and composed each of upright bars I I and a connecting-bar I. The upright bars I have attached pins J, which extend through slots j in the grade-frames and rest below the screens or sieves, so that as the said side frames are j olted the sieves or frames will be correspondingly jolted. The pins J may be adjusted in Serial No. 574,709. (No model.)

relation to the side frames, being to such end provided with threaded Shanks passed through slots j in said side frames and secured by nuts, as shown.

To operate the grading-frames and effect a jolting of the screens or sieves, I provide the operating-shaft K,having cranks L,connected by pitmen L with one of the grading-frames and crank projections M, which engage the side frames and swing them, and so jolt the sieves within their respective grading-frames.

The shaft K may be turned in any suitable manner. I have shown it as geared with a hand-driven shaft N.

In the operation of myinvention, the largest screen being the first, the prunes passing over the end thereof are the largest or first-grade prunes, those passing over the second screen the second-grade, &c., while the prunes passing through the screens fall on the bottoms of the grading-frames and are delivered -thereby to the next screen below.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

' l. A fruit-grader composed of the supporting-frame, the grading-frames, the sieves or screens, in said grading frames the side frames having a sliding connection with the grading-frames and provided with portions engaging the sieves or screens the operatingshaft having crank projections engaging said l side frames whereby to jolt the same and cranks and pitmen connecting said cranks with the grading-frame whereby to swing the latter substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a fruit-grader, the combination of the grading-frames arranged one above the other, the sieves or screens movable therein, the movable jolting devices extending between and adapted to jolt the screens of the several grading-frames and means for operating such jolting devices, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fruit-grader, the combination of the grading-frames, the screens or sieves movable in said frames, side frames having upright bars provided with inwardly-projecting pins engaging the screens or sieves and bars connecting such upright bars, and devices for operating such side frames, substantially as shown and described.

IOO

4. In a fruit-grader, the combination with the suspended grading frames and the screens lnovable therein of the side frames held to and movable vertically along the grading-frames, and provided with inwardly-projeeting pins engaged with the screens, and the drive-shaft having a crank connected with lbhe suspended grading-frame and a jolting,r projection engaging the side frame all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of a series of grading frames one above the other, a screen in each such frame and movable therein, the frames having vertically-elongated slots opposite their screens the Side frames having up- 15 rights provided with pins projected inwardly through said slots and bearing beneath the Screens, and means for operating such side frames substantially as shown and described.

WILLS BROWN.

Vitnesses:

ASA W. FISK, E. E. MILLER. 

